A person who abandons a water craft may face a $100,000 fine and jail time, this according to a new bill proposed by Powell River’s federal representative.
John Weston, Conservative MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country until October 19, recently advanced a private members bill in Parliament calling for the prohibition of abandoned vessels—this after voting against his party on a similar bill proposed by the New Democratic Party.
“I wanted to make it very clear that it is a problem that needs a solution,” said Weston of supporting Nanaimo-Cowichan MP Jean Crowder’s bill. “I thought that it was okay for me to support her despite the blowback that I could receive from my own government for not voting with them.”
Weston said there are significant differences between his private members bill C-695, which proposes to amend the Canada Shipping Act, and the now overturned amendment proposed by Crowder.
Weston said his bill places liability with boat owners rather than the Canadian Coast Guard.
“Somebody who goes out and intentionally abandons a vessel will be, once the bill passes, subject to up to a year of prison time and a $100,000 fine,” said Weston.
Weston’s bill targets unauthorized, unmonitored vessels moored or anchored in the same area for more than 30 days, as well as boats in danger of sinking, breaking apart, obstructing a waterway or posing risks to human health and the environment.
The penalties, said Weston, would not be imposed on someone who is sick, disabled, or finds themselves unable to get back to their boat for medical reasons, or for wrecked or stranded vessels in distress.
Introducing his bill in Parliament June 17, Weston said, “As of last year, Transport Canada had identified 245 boats that might be deemed abandoned off BC.”
Abandoned and derelict vessels are a growing problem in BC, and source of environmental concern as rusting hulks of uncared for vessels carry the potential to leak fuel.
“If notified by the public of such vessel Transport Canada’s Waters Navigable Protection officers will search the vessel licence or registry system, as well [as] put ads in the paper looking for the owner,” said Jillian Glover, a spokesperson for Transport Canada.
According to its website, Transport Canada does not have the authority to remove a boat “unless it poses a potential or immediate hazard to navigation.”
According to a Transport Canada report, as of February 2014, fewer than five vessels of concern had been located in Powell River.
However, although Transport Canada currently requires boat owners to licence or register their vessels, according to Weston, there are still concerns with identifying owners of abandoned boats, as well as a lack of financial resources for dealing with such vessels.
“I’d be the first to say that my bill, once passed, doesn’t solve all the problems,” said Weston.
Bill C-695 has had its first reading while its second reading is not yet scheduled. Bills must pass three readings in the House, as well as the Senate, in order to be given royal assent and pass into law.
